SD1293. Edward Moulton-Barrett (father) to Septimus Moulton-Barrett

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 14, 367.

[London]

[Postmark: 30 October 1846]

Dear Sept

I am glad at the arrangement made for your further stay at the Rectory, as we are still in a great state of confusion & dirt– After my expressed dislike to any one, staying at the Rectory, I certainly am much surprised & annoyed to find that you have had, & still have visitors; whatever you & others think of it, it is extremely improper, & shows how little you are to be trusted. It is contrary to all usage & highly improper, that young Men should be staying in my House in my absence. This as respects society, but I know not how to term conduct, so completely in opposition to my wishes—you appear to think, I make no exception, your duty to be to act so, as to place your values always in opposition to me, it is enough to find out what my wishes are, in order to obstruct them– Surely never was Parent so cursed by a family, one that should have been my comfort & the source of enjoyment, verily forms the only drawback to my happiness– It appears to me as if you were trying how much would drive me away, & make me take some desperate step– I have heard to my disgust that Mr Chapman has also been down, why here is a Man, you knew I would not have in my house here willingly, & yet he is invited down to stay– Such conduct is infamous, independent of its being the height of impropriety– Who was the Person that invited him, I know that you have been active, for Cook told me that you had written to him to come down– What right had you to ask any Man to live at my expence, without consulting me? Surely you cannot think that you have by your conduct earned the privilege

Yrs &c

E M Barrett

Address: Sept Barrett Esqre / Rectory / Little Bookham / Leatherhead.

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: Gordon E. Moulton-Barrett.

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